Birdwatchers gather for annual Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count

Published 4:30 pm, Sunday, December 16, 2012

Photo copyright Mardi Dickinson Birdwatchers, including Townsend Dickinson, right, brave the elements to participate in the Christmas Bird Count in Norwalk on Sunday.

Photo copyright Mardi Dickinson Birdwatchers, including Townsend Dickinson, right, brave the elements to participate in the Christmas Bird Count in Norwalk on Sunday.

Birdwatchers gather for annual Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

NORWALK -- The day was gray, the numbers were down, the spirits were up, the data is in.

More than 30 birdwatchers scoured the region on a rainy and cold Sunday to collect data for the annual Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count (CBC), the longest-running citizen science project in the world. The 66th Westport Circle held its count on Sunday and 96 species were counted by those hearty birdwatchers.

Last year, birders counted 107 species of birds during the Westport Circle's CBA. Townsend Dickinson, a long-time participant in the local count, said wind and lack of food available for birds accounted for the drop in number of species counted.

"Birds were scarce -- few and far between," Dickinson said. "We walked around Manresa Island all morning and checked every nook and cranny. We got excited when we saw a chickadee. There was just nothing outstanding."

The Christmas Bird Count has been going on continuously since 1900. Data collected by volunteer participants provides data for ornithologists and other scientists to track bird populations.

Dickinson said despite the lack of birds found locally this year, the effort was worth it by the birdwatchers.

"In the long run, data (with few birds) is still data. Scientifically -- whether we had a good time or not -- that's the data. It's not bad data. It is what it is."

Mardi Dickinson, compiler for the Westport Circle, said five other species of birds were found during the "count week" so far. The count week is composed of the days prior to and following the actual day of the Christmas Bird Count. Those numbers are part of the final tally, but not included in the day-of numbers.

Frank Mantlik, who leads the East Norwalk team of birders, said his crew also experienced a slower-than-usual day. Taylor Farm near Calf Pasture Beach was particularly quiet. That spot is usually good for a rare bird or two, but this year even the common birds were scarce.

His team did find two Brown Creepers at 14-Acre Pond. That pond also featured fowl such as Wood Ducks, Ring-necked Ducks, Gadwall, and Green-winged Teal.

The Westport Circle is composed of all or parts of Westport, Norwalk, New Canaan, Wilton, Fairfield, Weston and Easton.

Windy conditions not only kept bird numbers lower than usual, it also grounded the count's boat crew. Capt. Larry Flynn normally takes his boat out around the Norwalk Island to find birds on Long Island Sound, but for safety reasons, he did not risk the conditions.

"There were a good number of people out, but most people are saying the birds were scarce," Townsend Dickinson said. "We had six bluebirds and saw about 100 crows coming to roost, but nothing too noteworthy. One group had a Vesper Sparrow, which is a good bird."

Scientists now have 112 years worth of data as they study winter bird population trends. During the annual Christmas Bird Count, a nationwide (and beyond) project of the National Audubon Society, volunteers scour a specific area in search of any and all birds -- rare or common.

Scientists now have 113 years worth of data as they study winter bird population trends. The CBC is held nationwide, as well as in other countries, to track winter bird population trends. Volunteers search a specific area for all birds, rare or common.

Another birdwatching citizen science project, the Great Backyard Bird Count, takes place in February.